Canadian Quakers oppose Canada’s sale of arms to human rights abusers

In 2016 Canadian Quakers came to a collective position about Canada’s involvement in the arms trade. “We note with sadness that arms sales are an increasingly lucrative industry for Canada, which has become the second largest supplier of arms to the Middle East.”

So starts the minute, approved by representatives of Quaker Meetings from across Canada. The minute was sent by Canadian Yearly Meeting to the Minister of Foreign Affairs with copies to other relevant Ministers and opposition critics. It holds that “Canada is arming countries which make a regular practice of violating basic human rights and human dignity.” The examples of Saudi Arabia and Israel are offered.

Image of a May 2015 air strike by Saudi Arabia in Sana’a Yemen – CC-BY Ibrahem Qasim

The minute goes on to state, “Today’s violence lies at the roots of violence in the future. This must end. We cannot stand by and do nothing, and we do not put our faith in Canadian weapons bringing peace.

We call on Canada not to sell arms to countries which may use these arms in violation of international law or to repress civilian populations. We call on Canada to sign and ratify the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty without further delay, and to share information about its involvement in the international arms trade in a thorough, timely, and transparent manner. As Friends, we hope Canada’s role can move from a backer of wars to a supporter of creative non-military actions to transform conflicts and build peace.”

Download the full minute (PDF).

Read more minutes from Canadian Yearly Meeting.

Learn what CFSC means by a culture of peacemaking.